On 16/6, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court sentenced Tran Long Vu, 28, to 16 years in prison for murder. In a related case, Pham The Hien, a 30-year-old ride-hailing driver, received three years in prison for harboring a criminal. The court stated that Vu’s actions were extremely dangerous, violated the victim's life, and impeded crime prevention. However, Vu's surrender and his family's compensation to the victim's family resulted in a partial reduction of his sentence.

Defendants Tran Long Vu (black shirt) and Pham The Hien in court today. Photo: Binh Nguyen

The indictment detailed that on the afternoon of 24/9/2025, Vu contacted Thoai to purchase drugs, arranging to meet near an apartment complex in Tan Tao ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

Later that evening, Vu hired Hien to drive him to the meeting point to collect the drugs. Upon arrival, Vu attempted to haggle the price of each box of crystal meth from 2,2 million VND down to 1,5 million VND due to insufficient funds. This angered Thoai, leading to an argument and a physical altercation. During the struggle, Vu pulled out a switchblade he was carrying and stabbed Thoai multiple times in the chest.

After committing the crime, Vu fled to Hien's waiting car, approximately 30 meters from the scene, telling him he had stabbed someone. Hien then drove Vu to dispose of the weapon before they returned to the victim's neighborhood to inquire about the situation. One day after learning of the victim's death, Vu surrendered to the police. Hien was also arrested for helping Vu escape and dispose of the weapon.

Binh Nguyen